James R. Fennell & Lola S. Scobey | Build Ivywild

Build Ivywild provides an in-depth chronology of the design, approval, and funding process for repurposing the old Ivywild School, but it accomplishes much more. It sets a new standard for successfully organizing businesses, designing buildings, and creating community. It champions a new culture. Ivywild changes everything!”

—Jamie LaRue, DirectorDouglas County Libraries, Colorado

After reading Build Ivywild, I’m inspired by the alternative approach to land development—especially infill redevelopment—that strengthens local economies and creates stronger communities, all while promoting environmental sustainability. The concepts presented encourage strong physical connections to the natural environment and an abundance of public gathering spaces or “creative commons.” These types of spaces promote interaction and the exchange of ideas. This new vision for neighborhood-based ‘Ivywild’ districts parallels our vision for the 21st century library and firmly supports a new generation of ‘makers’ and American entrepreneurs.

—Paula Miller, DirectorPikes Peak Library District

What I love about Ivywild is the attention to preserving the human historic touches, like saving all of the children’s art in the bathroom and hallways. The reuse of the original main hallway, the buildings most significant interior space, was well thought out, and the building now feels organic with uses and users mingling seamlessly throughout the gorgeous interior. Another attention to historic detail is preserving and showcasing building materials and construction methods from 1917 to 1953. The design team chose not opt for some generic unifying ethic but choose to let the different periods speak for themselves, creating an eclectic and pleasing interior space people flock to. I can’t overstate that, while some hard-line preservationists may not like the entire project, the Ivywild School saved a building, a memory, and distilled it into a new and exciting future. They’ve created a new ‘period of significance’, that itself will be eligible for the National Register in a couple of decades. Never have I been so excited to go to ‘The Principals’ Office’.